Castle Thor, Protected castle in Astenet, Belgium
Castle Thor is a château with a white facade, six axially ordered windows, a gambrel roof, and a cobblestone courtyard surrounded by three distinct wings. The building's current layout reflects multiple transformations that occurred over many centuries.
The castle developed from a 14th-century brewery owned by the Astenet family, and foundations of an earlier fortress were uncovered during pond maintenance work. Renovations revealed remnants of an 11th-century fortress with four corner towers that belonged to the medieval von Astenet dynasty.
The castle preserves original stucco ceilings, leather wallpaper with biblical themes, and oak doors carved in the Louis XIV style within the former chapel area. These decorations reveal how wealthy families adorned their private spaces and what religious imagery held meaning for them.
The property operates as a hotel-restaurant since 1947 and serves accommodation and event facilities. Visitors should note that access may be limited by operating hours and private events hosted at the venue.
Beneath the white facade lie nearly 1000 years of layered history, with parts of the structure reaching back to 11th-century fortifications. These hidden foundations make the building a physical record of different historical periods stacked upon one another.
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